Mars and Saturn Planetary War in Libra

The stage is set for the biggest battle of the year in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish.  This will be a Mars and Saturn planetary war in Libra tomorrow.  In Western astrological terms, this is a Mars and Saturn conjunction or planetary alignment.  A planetary war, or graha yuddha, is when two planets are within one degree of each other.

As the two great malefics in Vedic astrology, Mars and Saturn together is similar to driving with one foot on the gas and one foot on the brakes simultaneously. With a Mars and Saturn planetary war in Libra, fire and ice collide. Mars is the hot planet of aggression, ambition, competition, action, and conflict.  Saturn is the cold planet of obstruction, challenges, delays, discipline, responsibility, and adversity.  Mars represents your siblings and Saturn denotes your subordinates.  The battle is waging in the harmony-loving sign of Libra.  Libra signifies the personal and professional partner.

Saturn is exalted in Libra.  Thus, it can wreck havoc even more strongly.  Historically, Mars and Saturn together have produced global conflict, political tension, and natural disasters.  Mars and Saturn are both “bhumy karakas” or significators of  matters related to the earth element and to property, so those could be adversely impacted. We have evidenced a great deal of worldwide unrest this year and it could intensify.  This war is taking place in the President’s 10th house of career, while he is in a Saturn dasha.

The Mars and Saturn planetary war in Libra begins on August 23 at 5:25 PM Pacific.  The height of the war is on August 24 at noon.  This coincides with the new Moon in Leo.  Family issues may arise.  The war ends at 6:25 AM on August 27.   Mars leaves Libra and enters its own sign of Scorpio on September 4.

Mars and Saturn create a determination to get things done. “It’s my way or the highway.”  There’s a drive to accomplish things on your time frame and only as you see fit.   Mars and Saturn in Libra puts a strain on your interpersonal relationships as your colleagues or friends and family be drawn into your agenda.

The battlefield for the Mars and Saturn planetary war in Libra is the nakshatra or constellation of Vishakha.  The symbol of Vishakha is a triumphal archway, often what heroes returning from battle marched through. There is the connotation of success at any cost.  Determination and focus are key terms associated with Vishakha.  There is a relentless drive to achieve one’s goals, by whatever means necessary.

This single-minded focus on a project or ambition is often to the detriment of personal relationships and social interactions.  They say, “I have to get this done. Then I can do something else.”  With the Mars and Saturn planetary war in Libra, watch for how you may be overzealous in an arena, and how it may be impacting your siblings, business or romantic partner.

This pairing can create more natural disasters as well as problems with machinery.  Being an air sign, Libra can create issues with air travel or battles in the sky.  Air travel during this period is ill advised.  Also be careful when driving.  Choose your activities and your words wisely. Do not enter into any new alliances or sign any important contracts during this time.  It’s also a time not to push your agenda too strongly.  With the new Moon, be sure not to overexert yourself.  Mars and Saturn represent the blood and muscle tissues, respectively, in Ayurveda, and you there could be injuries.

Try to tap into the energies of exalted Jupiter and focus on more philanthropic or spiritual activities.  On an individual level, those in a Mars or Saturn planetary cycle will be most impacted by the Mars and Saturn planetary war in Libra.  You want to see the implication of  Libra in your Vedic astrology chart.  An individual astrology reading can help you determine what the impact may be and how to best utilize your time.